The Boulder Reservoir swim beach remains closed because of high levels of bacteria in the water, but that won't stop the 2,500-plus people signed up for the Shape Diva Dash from testing their speed, strength and agility at the reservoir Saturday.

The Diva Dash, described on its website as an "adventurous, women-only obstacle race," is expected to be the largest single event at the reservoir so far this year, city officials said.

After a Thursday announcement that the reservoir's swim beach is closed because of elevated levels of potentially harmful bacteria in the water, organizers of the 3-mile Dash say they are prepared.

"We were watching for that," organizer Sharon Cutler said. "It's only going to affect one of our 11 obstacles, so we are going to figure out something else. We are very fortunate it's not a swimming event."

The obstacle that involved getting in the water called for participants to paddle inflatable plastic tubes around a buoy and then return to shore, Cutler said. The rest of the race's obstacles are on dry land, including a cargo net participants must climb and some creative -- but secret -- obstacles meant to test balance and strength, Cutler said.

"The girls that don't want to get wet are really happy about it," Cutler said with laugh as she worked to set up course boundaries at the reservoir.

The swim beach, 5565 N. 51st St., was closed to swimmers at 4 p.m. Thursday after a routine, state-mandated water test revealed the high bacteria levels, according to city officials. The reservoir was closed from July 12 to July 17 for similar concerns. It is believed in both cases that the bacteria levels were the result of runoff from rains.

The water has been tested again, but the beach remains off limits to swimmers until at least 1 p.m. Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Diva Dash has been received so positively that a men-only wave has been added.

People can still register for the event on site Saturday morning, Cutler said. The early waves of the race have been filled, she said, but people can sign up for the waves starting at 9:15 a.m. and later.

The event costs $70. A portion of the race proceeds will benefit nonprofit organizations The Women's Wilderness Institute, Smart-Girl and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

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